Featured Advice

Careers rarely develop the way we plan them. Our career path often takes many twists and turns, with particular events, choices and people influencing our direction.

We asked Brian Howard from Department of Education and Skills to give some advice for people considering this job:

This career involves working with people in a caring capacity. If you have no interest in helping people personally or educationally then this may be the wrong profession for you.

Empathy, patience and respect are important qualities for this job, in addition to be able to relate well to the person you are dealing with. As there is also a large amount of information to be handled in the job, good organisational, IT and time management skills are also quite important.

Featured Content

Self Assessment

What are your interests?

Realist?

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Up-skilling Courses

Pathways To Work

Research indicates that there is a strong link between unemployment and educational attainment. The Irish government recognises the importance of education for both individuals and society. The Back To Education Programmes were introduced to provide a comprehensive range of options from which an unemployed person can choose, or be directed to, depending on the most appropriate option for his/her needs.

If you are unemployed, or simply want to further your education, there is likely to be a government scheme that will help you financially to do a course that you are interested in.

As most of these initiatives are designed to assist unemployed people return to education, improve their skills and increase their chance of gaining employment, we have more information on these programmes in our Adult Learner Section

From May 2018 Springboard+ offers 8,088 free places on 245 courses leading to awards at certificate, degree and post-graduate level. The majority of courses are part-time for a maximum of 12 months and are open to all eligible applicants regardless of their employment status.

The following are eligible to apply for courses in 2018/19 academic year (subject to the applicant meeting all requirements, e.g. academic requirements):

Returners (Formerly known as Homemakers)

May apply to all courses if they meet the nationality/visa requirement and residency criteria.

People in employment

May apply to all courses if they meet the nationality/visa requirement and residency criteria.

Please note that a 10% course fee contribution for Level 7, 8, and 9 courses is applicable for employed participants. This is payable directly to the provider.

The unemployed or formerly self-employed

all courses are open to these category of applicants, with the exception of the two year part-time ICT conversion courses which are not open to those in receipt of a Jobseekers-related payment

As most of these initiatives are designed to assist unemployed people return to education, improve their skills and increase their chance of gaining employment, we have more information on these programmes in our Adult Learner Section: click here.

For a full list of schemes from the Department's website and to download forms click here

Need advice on what to do?

With so many possible courses, and a variety of different financial supports available, many people choose to discuss their options with a local careers advisor. Government based services provide free consultations and are available nationwide. Click here to go to Adult Guidance Supports.